heberlein



Sept. 1 1956 s. E. HEBERLEIN DISCONNECT SWITCH Original Filed June 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill/l 3 INVENTOR. Gusrnv: f. east; Em! BY tion comprisinl j ma a sq. u, use

Unitcd v Stat cs Patent Oflic c 2, 1956, Serial No. 595,809. '12.Clalms. (cl. zoo-4s) m a m m n m Matter original patent but 'forntsno of this reissue specification; matter printed in ltaln lndlcates the additions madebyreue.

1 My present invention relates to disconnect More particularly it relates to the current carry s connection between elements of the blade assembly of connect switches of the type shown in patent application Serial No. 145,389, of which this is a continuation in: part application.

This switch has rotatably mounted on a base or terminal. Ihts contact 7 arm includes a blade which rotates around its longitudinal axis into high pressure engagement with contacts. To permit this rotation, while maintaining a good t 2 Figure 4 isa crossPsectional view of another modification of the conducting joint of Figure 2.

Figure Sais across-sectional view ct mother modification of the conducting joint of Figure 2 showing a garter spring.

'Figure Sb is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the conducting of Figure 5a.

an angularly movable contact armcurrent path between the rotating blade and the anguv larly movable portion thereof, a current carry g connw threadedly engaged ontact elements is used. This connection is of the type generally in application Serial No. 145,389, the present invention being a modification of that shown in the application.

I The primary object of my invention is, therefore,'to provide a current carrying connection between the rotatable blade and the. angularlymovable member on which it is mounted, the current carrying connection serving also as a means for mounting the blade.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a between the blade portion of the contact arm and the hinge casting of the disconnect switch.

A- further object of my invention is the arrangement and combination of parts and elementsand the simplifi cation of operation to the end that a number of parts are required to construct the hinge and blade assembly of disconnect switches.

Another object ofmy invention is spring loaded contacts at the connection between the angularly movable hinge casting and the rotatable blade itself so arranged that the contacts are always in engagement, thereby simplifying the provision of means for exeluding foreign matter from the contacts and thereby preventing corrosion. A

- A further'obiect of my invention is the provision of a garter-spring to maintain the contact surfaces of the hinge casting and of the suitable blade into high pressure engagement.

These and many other objects of the invention will become apparent in the following description and drawings in which:

Figure l is a cross-sectional view of the disconnect switch incorporating this invention.

' Figure -2 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge casting and switch blade of this invention showing the conducting joint and the compression spring.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modified version otthecouductingjointofFigureZ.

Figure 5c is a schematic cross-section showing the com tact engagement achieved by the threaded hinge of Figures 5a and 5b.

Referring nowto Figure l, I have here shown a disconnect of the type disclosed in application Serial No. 145,389 filed February 21, 1950 in which the disconnect switch is mounted on the base 11 which is a suitable longitudinal structural support, in this case shown horizontally arranged for a horizontally or upright mounted disconnect switch.

Thebase 11 hassecuredtheretoina'nysuitablemanner as by the insulator spacers 12 and 13 the stationary upright supporting posts 14, 15 on the upper portions of which are mounted insulators 16, 17.

Base 11 is also provided with the bearing appropriately secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the bolts 21 and carrying the rotatable vertical shaft 22 to the upper end of which is keyed the insulator 23 for rotation with the vertical shaft or post 22.

Below insulator 23 there is keyed to the shaft 22 the crank secured thereto in any suitable manner as by the bolts 31 connected to the flange or crank plate 32. Bolts 21 which secure the bearing 20in position also secure the stop plate 34 in position, the stop plate being provided at opposite ends with the adjustable stops 36, 31 which engage at either end with the stop 58 on the operating crank 30.

While stops 36, 37 are herein provided, the construction and operation of my novel switch are such that it may operatev properly without the stops at individual poles;

I novel weatherproof eficient current carrying connection the provision of in such case, the stops would be provided at the operating means for the entire switch.

Where stops are eliminated at all points, then'the switch may be operated by crank 30 to close and then open by a single continuous movement in one direction to establish a contact momentarily and then break it.

Shaft 22a extends above the insulator 23 as eflectively a continuation of vertical shaft 22, being, however, spaced therefrom ,by insulator 23. Crank 40 at the upper end of shaft 22a is preferably integral therewith'and, therefore, rotates therewith. v

Crank 40 extends horizontally or at least parallel with thebasesupportingstructure llandrotatesinthehorizontal plane. Crank 40 is shown herein as tubular although-it may have any desired cross-section consistent with the mechanical loads imposed thereon. The outer end of crank 40 is flattened at 41 and is provided with a circular opening 42 through which pin 43 may pass.

A clevis member 44 receives extension 41, connection being made by pin 42.

Clevis 44 is integral with the threaded extension 50' which enters into the tapped opening 51 in the forked link 52. The threaded extension 50 is so arranged that as the threaded extension 50- rotates with respect to the forked link 52 and its tapped opening 51, it has linear movement with respect thereto.

Forked link 52 has a pair of arms 54 at the ends opposite the tapped opening 51 which are secured to the blade crank 61 of sleeve casting 62 by pin 60a.

The blade support sleeve casting 62 carries the tubular switch blade 63 secured therein and rotatable therewith.

The outer end of the tubular switch blade is flattened at 64 (Figure 1) andisprovided with appropriate contacts" The base 99 of stationary contact structure 66 has an extension 101 which serves as a terminal block or connecting member.

The sides 76 extend back to the solid portion 77 which is provided with an opening 78 appropriately recessed to form a bearing for crank 40 and its shaft.

The solidportion 77 of the base casting 62 then extends beyond to form the terminal 80 to which appropriate leads may be connected.

The stationary contact 66 comprises the plurality of contact blades 90, 91 on each side biased toward each other by the spring support members 92, 93 and so arranged that when the blade 65 enters at an angle to the horizontal "position. during the closing operation it will clear the blades 90 on each 'side.

These. contact members are so arranged, however, that when the blade is rotated from the open to the closed po-' sition the blade 65 in turning to the horizontal position" will spread the contacts 90 and 91 on each side against the tension of springs 92 and 93, creating the desired contact pressure.

The spring blades 92, 93 are current conducting and are connected in any suitable manner as by the bolts 98't o the base plate 99, which in turn is mounted in any suitable manner as by bolts 100 at the top of insulator 17.

The base 99 of stationary contact structure 66 has an extension 101 which serves as a terminal block or connecting member.

Thus, when the disconnect switch is in the closedposition of Figure 1 current enters the terminal 80, passes through the frame casting 73 to the hinge, bearing 72, then through the current carrying connection in the hinge Thus, when the disconnect switch is in the closed position of Figure 1, current enters the terminal 80, passes through the frame casting 73 to the hinge bearing 72, then through the current carrying connection inthe hinge bearing 72 to the hinge casting 70, from the hinge casting 70 to the contact blade 63, then through the contact 65 on the contact blade 63 to the stationary contact elements 90, 91 and then through the base 99 to the terminal extension 101.

The conducting joint which constitutes the current carrying connection between the hinge casting 70 and the blade 63 is shown specifically in the cross-sectional view iointare shown in o'f Figure- 2. Modifications of this cross-section in Figures 3, 4, 5a, and Sb.

Referring firstto Figure 2, the blade section as is 5 I tubular metallic member which is extended back inside sleeve 62 which carries the blade crank 61. Sleeve 62 is rotatably mounted on cylindrical extension 205 of the hinge casting '70 by the rotatable interengagement of nut 255 of blade 63 with threaded part 206 of extension 205 of the hingecasting 70 as hereinafter described.

The interior of sleeve 62 is provided with an annular recess 201 at the point of engagement of the sleeve 62 with extension 200 of the hinge casting 70 to receive a weatherproofing'gasket. I 1

A heavy compression spring 212 placed between one end 211 ofthe cylindrical extension 205 and the nut 255 of, blade 63 maintains the threads 255 of blade 63 in close continuously engaged current carrying engagement on one side with the threads 206 of the cylindrical extension 205 of the hinge casting 70.

In this way the blade 63 can be rotated around its longitudinal axis while blade 63 and hinge casting 70 remain in close current carrying engagement. Comparing this type of current carrying engagement to a well-known annular contact, four times the contact bearing 72 to the hinge casting 70, from the hinge casting 70 to the contact blade 63 then through the contact 65 on the contact blade 63 to the stationary contact elements 90, 9 1 and then through the base 99 to the terminal extension 101.

The particular joint utilized for this mounting constitutes the essence of the present invention and will be discussed in detail below. The hinge casting is in turn rotatably mounted by the hinge bearings indicated genorally at 72 on the forked frame casting 7 v The frame casting 73 has a horizontal section 74 secured in any suitable manner as by the bolts 75 to the top of insulator 16.

The sides 76extend back to the solid portion 77 which is provided with an opening 78 appropriately recessed to form a bearing for crank 40 and its shaft.

The solid portion 77 of the base casting 62 then extends beyond to form the terminal 80 to which appropriate leads may be connected.

The stationary contact 66 comprises the plurality of contact blades 90, 91 on each side biased toward each other by the spring support members 92, 93 and so arranged that when the blade 65 enters at an angle to the horizontal position during the closing operation it will clear the blades on each side.

These contact members are so arranged however, that whenthe blade is rotated from the open to the closed position the blade 65 in turning to the horizontal position will spread the contacts 90 and 91 on each side against the tension of springs 92 and 93, creating the desired contact pressure.

The spring blades 92, 93 are current conducting and are connected in any suitable manner as by the bolts 98 to the base plate 99, which in turn is mounted in any suitable manner as by bolts 100 at the top of insulator 17.

area is available where four threads are in engagement. Hence the screw contact is moreeflicient and can be proportioned to the current carrying duty and not limited by diameter of the parts as determined from mechanical design considerations, such as making the diameter larger, etc.

Thus the current path from stationary contact 66 to the movable contact 65 and contact blade 63 extends through threads 255 of blade 63 to the threads 206 of hinge casting 70 and then through the hinge contact 72 to the base member 73 to the opposite terminal 80.

The weatherprooling for the current carryingconnection between the blade 63 and the hinge casting 70 com-v prises the solid sleeve 62, the weatherproofing gasket m annular recess 201 and the method of securement of the blade 63 to the sleeve 62. 1

To secure the blade 63 to the sleeve 62, a suitable method is used, for instance, that shown in the abovementioned patent application Ser. No. 145,389.

An alternate position of the compression spring is shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2. Here the spring 213 is placed between extension 214 of the cylindrical extension 205 of hinge casting 70 and suitable circular stops 215 secured to the blade tube. The. same type of close continuously engaged current carrying engagement is, therefore, obtained.

to rotate around the longitudinal axis of the blade 63.-

These threads 355 engage the threads 306 placed centrally on the hinge casting cylindrical extension 305.

A heavy compression spring 312 is placed in a recess .1 A modification of the conducting ioint is shown ig. 3. r I. a tubular metallic member .310 of the extension that it exerts m on of. Since-many variationa'and mo: my

end an of new s10 and side :14 of blade sleeve s2. vcinioii will now be obvious to skilledintheart,

those thethreadsi355 oflleeve62in Iprefertobebound-not'bythespecificdiaclosureherein close current carrying engagement contained but only by the appended claims. s

"on'oneaidewiththethreadsmofthecylindrical'exteng Iclaim:' ,.aion lot-the hinge casting 70. That is-the threads 1. A switch having a frame and a movable contact .355and366 areinthe same typegfcontactaspreviously arm, said contact arm being angularly movable with rewith reference to Figure 2.

I specttosaidframe;saidcontactarmcomprisingapivotal Thus, 'thecurrent'path from stationarycontact 66 to member-shaving angular movement with respect to said the movable contact, and contact blade63 extends 1o frame and a blade mounted on said pivotal memberand through threads 355 of blade 63, the threads 306 of having rotative movementtabont'its longitudinal axis; a

' hinge casting 70 and then through the hinge contact current carrying connection between said frame and said 12 to the base member 13 and to the opposite I pivotal member, a sleeve; said sleeve extending for. at 86.. i leastaportionofthesaidcurrentcarryingjoinnsaid The weatherproofing forthe current carryingconneclaf eevebeingsecuredtosaidcontactarmandbeingmovtions is the same as that described in relation to Figure 2. able in all directionswith said contact arm, said pivotal Another modification of the conducting joint between member havinga threaded extension; said contact arm switch blade and hinge casting is shown in. Fifire 4. having a threaded member engageable with said threaded The switch blade 63 is extended back inside sleeve 62 extension for mounting said contact armon said pivotal which the blade crank '61. Sleeve 62 and blade go member for rotation about said axis with respect to said 63, ucured one to the other, for instance, as described pivotal memberpsaid threaded interenaasernent between with reference to Figure 2, are rotatably mounted on said contact arm and pivotal member constituting a curconical extension 405 of the hinge 70 by the rgrent carrying foint therebetween, 'tatable interengagement of nut' 55 ofblade 63 'th 2. A switch having a frame andfa movable contact threaded part 466of'extension 405 of the-hinge casting gg arm, said contact arm being angularlymovable with rej 1 Y 1;) specttosaidframcnaidcontactarmcomprisingapivotal A heavy compression spring 412 placed inside the member having angular movement with respect to said blade tube.63 between theend 414 'of conical extension frame and a blade mounted on said pivotal member and 465 of the hinge casting 70 and the transve e 9 casthaving rotative movement about its longitudinal axis; a ing 413 maintains the threads 455 of blade 63 in close go current carryingconnection between said frame and said continuously engaged current carrying engagement on pivotal member, a sleeve; said sleeve extending for at least 'one side with the threads 466 ofv the conical extension a. portion ofthe said current carrying joint; said" sleeve be- 405 of the hingev casting 10. The threads 455 and 406 ing secured to said contact arm and being movable 'in all are' therefore, in the same typewof contact as previously directions with said contact arm, said pivotal member described with reference to Figure 2. g5 having a threaded extension; said contact'arm having a The interior or sleeve 62 is provided with an annular threaded member engageable with said extension recess 401 at the point of engagement of the sleeve 62 for mounting said contact arm on said pivotal member for v with extension 0 h h l mfi l to Me!" a rotation about said axis with respect to said pivotal memweatherproofing gasket. ber, said threaded inter-engagement between said contact Another modification of the blade hinge casting conam and pivotal member constituting a current carrying ducting joint is shown in Figure a. The switch blade 4 joint therebetween, and means biasing said threaded ele- 63 is extended back into sleeve 62 and sec e o, i ments-in one to cause a firm current carrying any suitable means, for instance, that described with contact engagement between'the reference to Figure 2. Blade tube 63 is threaded at the 3. A switch havinga frame and a movable contactend 555 to engage threads 506 of the extension 505 of I said contact arm being angularly movable with respect to the hinge casting 70. ,The sleeve 62 has an annular re-. .45 said frame; said contact arm comprising a pivotal member cess just'abo've threads 555. A garter spring 512 placed having angular movement with respect to said frame and around the blade tube 63 at point 557 maintains threads 7 11 blade mounted on said pivotal member and having ro- 555 of tube 63 c e continuously ngaged current tative movement about its-longitudinal axis; a current carrying engagement on both sides wi h the threads 506 carrying connection between said frame and said pivotal of the conical extension 505 of the hinge casting 76. jncmbgngaid it r be h vi m ma g i This type of contact is shown schematically in Figure 5c. said contact arm having athreaded member engageable '11:: current therefore, fl s from stationary contact with said threaded extension for mounting said contact 66 to the movable contact 65 and contact blade 63, then m on aid pivotal who? for m o 15 mm is S P 555 blade i with respect to said pivotal-member, said threaded intercasting 70, hinge contact 72 to the base member and y; between said contact am md piygm to the opposite terminal 80. Theinterior of'sleeve 62 can be provided with another annular recess 503 at the point ofengagement of a flrm'c berconstituting a current carrying joint therebetween, and means biasing said threaded elements in one direction the sleeve 62 with extension 500 of the hinge casting ll 0- twem an I i m be to receive a-weatherproofing gasket. 4

A modificafim of the conducting joint of A switch having a frame and a movable contact arm,

is shown .Here extension of the said mem b: hingc i provldpd i H having angular movement with respectto said frame and to "E the spnng. 513 a blade mounted on said pivotal member and having rotarotation of the blade 63 and its longitudinal axis. Con- 65 -sequemly threads 5 of blade 63 and thread, 507 of 'tive movement about its longitudinal axis; acurreut carryt nnecti between said frame and said pivotal memhin e casting extension 508 are m the type of engageon mer it described in connection with Figures Sc and 5a. 4, and i f for a The blade 63 is secured to the sleeve 62 in any suitthe and cumin any)! 30m; md cued able way, for instance, that described in connection with to 111d mm'ilble in in Moll! Figure 2. with said contact arm, said pivotal member having a A gasket placed inthe annular recess 501 of sleeve thre extension; "mill/in! ihmdfll 62 weatherproofs the current'carrying contact members. fl' enslssable Wlih said tmmflioll In the. foregoing, I have described my. invention solely mount g sli will! a n Said Pivotal member: for in connection with a specific preferred embodiment thererotation about said axis with respect to said pivotal member, said interengagement between saidcontact I said contact arm being angularly movable with respect to.

said frame; said contact arm comprising a pivotal member having angular movement with respect to said frame and a blade mounted on said pivo member and having rotative movement about its longi dinalaxis; a current carrying connection between said frame and said pivotal member, said pivotal member having a threaded extension; said contact arm having a threaded member engageable with said threaded extension for mounting said contact arm on said pivotal member for rotation about said axis with respect to said pivotal member; said threaded interengagement between said contact arm and pivotal member constituting a current carrying joint therebetween, and means ,biasing said threaded elements in one direction to cause a firm current carrying contact engagement between the threads, said contact elements being continuously engaged at all positions of said contact arm; means sealing said engaged threads.

6. A switch having a frame and a movable contact arm,

. said contact arm beingangularly movable with respect to said frame; said contact arm comprising a pivotal member having angular movement with respect to said frame and a blade mounted on said pivotal member and having rotative. movement about its longitudinal axis; a current carrying connection between said frame and said pivotal member, a sleeve; said sleeve extending for a least a portion of the said current carrying joint; said sleeve being secured to said contact arm and being movable in all .directions with said contact arm, said pivotal member having a threaded extension; said contact arm having a threaded member engageable with said threaded extension for mounting said contact arm on said pivotal member -for rotation about said axiswith respect to said pivotal member, said threaded interengagement between said contact arm and pivotal member constituting a current carrying joint therebetween; means biasing said threaded elements in a longitudinal direction and elfecting a close engagement between the surfaces of said threads on both sides of each thread, the surface-to-surface engagement of circular portions of said threads forming the said current carrying connection.

7. A switch having a frame and a movable contact arm, said contact arm'being angularly movable with respect to said frame; said contact arm comprising a pivotal member having angular movement 'with respect to said frame and a blade mounted on said pivotal member and having g connection, means sealing said en'gagedthreads 8. A switch having a frame and a movable contact arm said contact arm being angularly movable with respect to said frame; said contact arm comprising a pivotal member having angular movement-withrespect to said frame and a blade mounted on said pivotal member and having rotative movement about its longitudinal axis; a current carrying connection between said frame andsaid pivotal member; said pivotal member having a threaded extension; said contact arm having a threaded member engageable with said threaded extension for mounting said contact arm on said pivotal member for rotation about said axis with respect to said pivotal member, said threaded interengagement between said contact arm and pivotal member constituting a current carrying joint therebetween; means biasing said threaded elements in a longitudinal direction and efiecting a close engagement between the surfaces of said threads on both sides of each thread, the surface-to-surface engagement of circular portions of said threads forming the said current carrying connection, means sealing said engaged threads.

9. A-cu'rrent carrying jointcomprising a substantially cylindrical extension, said extension being threaded along a portion of its length, one complementary co-axial threaded member interengaged with thethreaded part of said extension, said co-axial threaded member and said substantially cylindrical extension beingconstructed to have relative rotative movement, means biasing said threaded member in one direction to cause a firm current carrying contact engagement between the threads.

10. A currentcarrying joint comprising a substantially cylindrical extension, said extension being threaded along a portion of its length, one complementary co axial threaded member interengaged with the threaded part of said extension, said co-axial threaded member and said substantially cylindrical extension being constructed to "have relative rotative movement, means biasing said rotative movement about its longitudinal axis; a current joint therebetween; means biasing said threaded elements in a longitudinal direction and etfecting a close engagement between the surfaces of said threads on both sides of each thread, the surface-tosurfaee engagement of circular portions of said threads forming the said current I threaded members in a longitudinal direction to cause a continuous firm current carrying contact engagement between the threads, for all positions of said co-axial threaded member and said substantially cylindrical exten on. I

11. A current carrying jointcomprising an extension,

said extension being threaded along a portion of its length,

one complementary coaxial threaded member interengaged with the threaded part of said extension, said coaxial threaded member and said extension being constructed to have relative movement about their axes, means biasing said threaded member in one direction to cause a firm current carrying contact engagement between the threads.

12. A current carrying joint comprising an extension, said extension being threaded along a portion of its length, one complementary co-axial threaded member interengaged with the threaded part of said extension, said coaxial threaded member constru'ctedto be movable about its axis with respect to said extension, means biasing said threaded members in a longitudinal direction 'to cause a continuous firm current carrying contact engagement between the threads, for all positions of said member and said extension.

RetereneesCttedirithefileofthispat ent ortheoriginalpatent 1:"

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,911,038 Rauh May 23, 1933 2,328,283 Koppitz et al. Aug. 31, 1943 2,337,711 Crake Dec. 28, 1943 2,359,056 Shaw Sept. 26, 1944 Garrison -Jan. 30, 1945 

